Cairnsmore house is located in the small town of Lochgilphead at the head of Loch Gilp, an arm of Loch Fyne in the heart of Mid-Argyll. 

It is an ideal touring centre for the West Highlands and Islands with the Mull of Kintyre, the fishing villages of Tarbert and Carradale, and the busy town of Campbeltown at its southern extremity. 

The Mull of Kintyre is well known for its wonderful wildlife spotting opportunities. Sightings of otters, deer, golden eagles and other raptors such as sparrow hawks are common and Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries link the islands of Arran, Islay, Jura, and the lovely little island of Gigha to the mainland for day visits or longer to explore some of the world’s most famous whisky distilleries as part of the whisky trail or simply to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the islands with their glorious seascapes and beaches. 

If you enjoy exploring the countryside on foot, why not discover the Kintyre Way featured in an excellent brochure available at tourist information centres.

To the north west of Lochgilphead, you can visit the Kilmartin Glen with its fascinating sites of standing stones and ancient burial chambers and cairns including Temple Wood, also the ancient Dunadd Fort. 

Why not visit the village of Kilmartin itself with its award winning Kilmartin Museum and world famous church and ancient Kilmartin Churchyard nearby.  Carnasserie Castle is also worth a visit. 

Further to the North West you can visit the villages of Ardfern and Craobh Haven with their attractive yacht marinas.  From there you can enjoy boat excursions around the islands of Lunga, Scarba, Jura and Luing to see the famous Corrievreckan Whirlpool and the smaller Grey Dogs Whirlpool, spotting all manner of seabirds and sea life – seals, whales, dolphins and basking sharks.  Round the head of Loch Melfort you can visit the world renowned Arduaine gardens, run by the National Trust for Scotland. 

If you are feeling adventurous, a visit to Easdale across the bridge over the Atlantic and the Island of Seil and on to the town of Oban itself is possible all within a day. The busy port of Oban is the stopping off point for the Inner Hebrides, Scotland’s enchanted isles, including the magnificent Isle of Mull, the tranquil Isle of Iona, Saint Columba’s Holy Isle, with its historic Iona Abbey, and Island of Colonsay, and far flung stunning scenic islands of Tiree and Coll.

Your journey home to Lochgilphead can take you over the hills to Loch Awe and the village of Ford.  It’s a wild road with frequent sightings of red deer and golden eagles.